Norfolk

The first of three eggs in the bald eagle nest at Norfolk Botanical Garden hatched Thursday. That first egg was laid Jan. 31 when snow filled the nest. Two more eggs were laid Feb. 3 and Feb. 6.

"The first confirmed clear view of an empty half eggshell was at 1:10 p.m.," says Virginia wildlife biologist Stephen Living who maintains an eagle cam blog at www.dgif.virginia.gov/eaglecam.

The chick will dry off and rest while the two adults continue to incubate/brood. Once the chick has had a chance to regain strength, the parents will feed it a first meal, which they will tear into tiny bits for it.

"Now we'll wait for the other eggs," says Living.

Once hatched, the parents will continue to keep the hatchling warm, because it won't be able to regulate its own body temperature for about two weeks, he says.

This is the seventh season for this eagle pair to nest at the botanical garden. They have successfully raised 12 eaglets.

As the eggs hatch, there will be lots of activity to watch on the botanical garden's eagle cam, which is the best way to watch the parents care for their new brood, according to wildlife experts at the garden.

After all the eagles hatch, the botanical garden will begin narrated tours. If you visit the garden, which is adjacent to Norfolk International Airport, the NATO Tower is the best place to see the eagles during the day.